For Immediate Release
CHICAGO, Feb. 24 2022—The American College of Healthcare Executives has named John W. Bluford III, LFACHE, as recipient of the 2022 President’s Award. Given by the president and CEO, the President’s Award is presented to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the field and is presented in exceptional situations to recognize exemplary service. He will receive his award Wednesday, March 30, 2022, during ACHE’s 65th Congress on Healthcare Leadership.
Bluford is currently the President/Founder of the Bluford Healthcare Leadership Institute. He carries the title of President Emeritus for Truman Medical Centers in Kansas City, where served as President/CEO for 15 years. His distinguished career in hospital and health system administration that has spanned more than four decades. Bluford served as Chairman of the American Hospital Association in 2011, the National Association of Public Hospitals in 2009, the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce in 2007 and the Missouri Hospital Association in 2006. He established the Bluford Healthcare Leadership Institute in 2012. This professional development program introduces talented, minority undergraduate scholars to healthcare administration to create a pipeline of talent that will ultimately help decrease healthcare disparities among vulnerable patient populations.
Bluford’s awards and achievements include the American Hospital Association’s Award of Honor (2019), National Minority Quality Forum’s Booker T. Washington Award (2017), the Missouri Walk of Fame Award (2014), the National Center for Healthcare Leadership’s Gail L. Warden Leadership Excellence Award (2013), Modern Healthcare’s CEO/IT Achievement Award (2013), Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management-Laura Jackson Award (2011), Missouri Hospital Association’s Distinguished Service Award (2009), Urban League Difference Maker Award (2006), the Richland County School District One (SC) – Hall of Fame (2010), and the Missouri Hospital Association’s Visionary Leadership Award (2003).
About the American College of Healthcare Executives
The American College of Healthcare Executives is an international professional society of more than 48,000 healthcare executives who lead hospitals, healthcare systems and other healthcare organizations. ACHE’s mission is to advance our members and healthcare leadership excellence. ACHE offers its prestigious FACHE® credential, signifying board certification in healthcare management. ACHE's established network of 77 chapters provides access to networking, education and career development at the local level. In addition, ACHE is known for its magazine, Healthcare Executive, and its career development and public policy programs. Through such efforts, ACHE works toward its vision of being the preeminent professional society for leaders dedicated to improving health. The Foundation of the American College of Healthcare Executives was established to further advance healthcare management excellence through education and research. The Foundation of ACHE is known for its educational programs—including the annual Congress on Healthcare Leadership, which draws more than 4,000 participants—and groundbreaking research. Its publishing division, Health Administration Press, is one of the largest publishers of books and journals on health services management including textbooks for college and university courses.
Contact:
Emma O’Riley
Interim Vice President
Department of Marketing
American College of Healthcare Executives
300 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 1900
Chicago, IL 60606
(312) 424-9430
eoriley@ache.org